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Architects are calling on the government for clarification on when the new version of Part L of the building regulations will be introduced.

The guidelines, relating to energy conservation, were due to be introduced in April but were pushed back to an October deadline that still hasn’t been confirmed by the Communities & Local Government department.

If the update misses the October date, it will have to be further delayed until next April since regulations can only be changed twice yearly.

Andrew Catto, honorary secretary at the Association of Consultant Architects, said the industry needed to know when the new energy regulations would be enforced to ensure a good service for clients.

“People are designing buildings now that will be built next year and the year after, and we need to know to what specification we are building,” he said.

At the same time the CLG is pressing ahead with initial consultations into wider building regulations as it looks to “strip away regulation”, as well as streamlining and updating the guidelines. It is also seeking suggestions on enforcing greater.

Nick Ebbs, chief executive of developer Blueprint, said simplifying the regulations could bring the overall cost of buildings down.

“A priority in my view would be to simplify the regulations wherever possible,” he said. “This is not about watering down obligations but it is about finding ways to simplify the process.”

The CLG will use the feedback in discussions with the Buildings Regulations Advisory Committee in the autumn, ahead of launching a full consultation in 2011.

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Let's hope that the changes to Part L come in sooner rather than later. A more stringent Part L needs to be put in place if we have any chance of achieving carbon neutral homes by 2016. It is important for architects and the nation that we are seen to be leading the world on sustainable development!